A popular place I like to take groups on the photography workshops I run in San Francisco and the wider Bay Area is up to the top Mount Tam. You can't beat getting above the fog into the golden hills and watching the fog (affectionally known by locals as "Karl") mystically drift across the city, ocean and rolling landscape; it's definitely worth the drive. You can find more information on my San Francisco and Bay Area photography classes here.
I was up there last night for one of the most stunning sunsets I've see in a while and positioned myself along with some other photographers facing due West overlooking Stinson Beach, the peak of Mount Tam and some gorgeous golden hills. Shooting into the sun can sometimes be challenging. However, with the right exposure and control of light you can get creative. I love introducing some really cool flare, sun rays and other effects into my photos. The burst of color as the sun dipped below the horizon lasted only about five minutes but was truly breathtaking. It won't be long until I'm back up there!
Below are a few of my favorite shots.
